Komets Add Four to Roster; Champs Auger, Henley, Rizk Coming Back for More
Published on August 1, 2012 under ECHL (ECHL)
Fort Wayne Komets News Release
Fort Wayne, IN -- The Komets announced Wednesday that four players have been added to the preseason roster. Returning champions from last season include Chris Auger, Brent Henley and J.M. Rizk. Rookie forward Matt Firman also agreed to terms.
Auger, 24, was named Komet Rookie of the Year last season after leading the Komets with 28 goals and adding 31 assists for 59 points in 57 games. Auger scored team highs of 10 goals and +12 in 18 playoff games en route to the 2012 CHL Presidents' Cup Championship. The Belleville, Ontario center was selected by Chicago in the sixth round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft before experiencing four seasons with the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, during the 2006-2010 Hockey East campaign. Auger made his pro debut skating 42 games with Mississippi (CHL) 2010-11 scoring 14 goals and 25 points.
Henley, 31, will be entering his 11th pro year and fourth with Fort Wayne. The veteran defenseman won his second league championship last season with the Komets. Henley scored three goals and 14 points in 60 regular season games before appearing in 15 playoff games posting a goal and three points. Henley also won the 2008 IHL Turner Cup championship as a member of the Komets. During his career, Henley has skated 109 AHL career games in stints with Lowell, Rochester, Toronto, Edmonton, Springfield, Norfolk and Hartford. Henley is no stranger to the ECHL having appeared in parts of eight seasons over the course of his career skating stints with Jackson, South Carolina, Greenville, Phoenix, Utah, Pensacola, Augusta and Mississippi. Henley led the Komets last season with +29 and 201 penalty minutes and dished a career best 11 assists and 14 points. The Coquitlam, British Columbia native also collected the Community Service and Unsung Hero awards for 2011-12 and was named co-winner of the Komet Defenseman of the Year Award with teammate Frankie DeAngelis.
Rizk, 26, scored 20 goals and 31 points last season with Fort Wayne before netting seven goals and 14 points in 18 playoff games while capturing the CHL title in his rookie season. The Dunham, Ontario native was selected by Minnesota in the seventh round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft during a five-year stint in the OHL 2002-2007. Rizk skated four seasons with Wilfrid Laurier University (CIS) 2007-2011 before finishing 2010-11 appearing in seven ECHL games with Wheeling.
Firman, 23, will be making his rookie debut with Fort Wayne. The Fayetteville, New York forward finished his fourth season with Colgate University last year scoring college career highs of seven goals, eight assists and 15 points in 39 ECAC games. Firman was named Colgate's Most Improved Player for 2011-12 and received the Steve Riggs Memorial Award given to the player most known for gentlemanly play and high standard of ability.
Auger, Henley and Rizk join Colin Chaulk (C), Brett Smith (C), Kaleigh Schrock (RW) and Daniel Maggio (D) on the list of returning champions from last year. The 2012-13 preseason roster includes eight forwards, four defensemen and one goaltender for a total of 13 players that have agreed to terms.
Komets slate two preseason tuneups -- Nine weeks remain until the Komets open training camp Oct. 1. The Komets have scheduled a pair of exhibition home games against the Evansville IceMen at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. The Komets will face the IceMen Saturday, Oct. 6 at 7:30pm and again Sunday, Oct. 7 at 5pm.
Season home opener Oct. 12 -- The Komets will make their ECHL debut on Friday, Oct. 12 when they host the Kalamazoo Wings at 8pm. The Komets' 61st anniversary season will feature 36 home games and 36 road games. Start times for Komet home games remain unchanged from last year; Monday thru Thursday and Saturday games start at 7:30pm, Friday games faceoff at 8pm and Sunday games start at 5pm.
Hottest Ticket In Town -- Many great seat locations are available for season tickets. Season tickets are on sale at the Komet office, 1010 Memorial Way, Fort Wayne. For information visit www.komets.com, or call 260-483-0011.
All new and improved Komets.com -- Visit the Komets new website at www.komets.com featuring an interactive calendar of the Komets' schedule with specific information about all Komet events as well as all home and road games. In addition to Komet hockey news and information, the new site features an on-line team store and navigation of the ticketing process. Fans will be able to download and access photo galleries, player information, video, audio and other multi-media features as well as follow Komet gamecasts live and much more for 2012-13.
ECHL Stories from August 1, 2012
- Thunder Announces Change to 2012-13 Schedule - Stockton Thunder
- Center Jesse Fratkin, Thunder Agree to Terms - Stockton Thunder
- Solar Bears to Raise Turner Cup Championship Banner - Orlando Solar Bears
- Sean Mitton & Andrew Hewitt on all new Episode of Puska on Pucks - OSC Original by Denis Puska
- Condors Add Annesley and Meilleur to 2012-13 Roster - Bakersfield Condors
- Brendan Connolly Returning to the Road Warriors - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Komets Add Four to Roster; Champs Auger, Henley, Rizk Coming Back for More - Fort Wayne Komets
- Walleye and Red Wings Renew Affiliation - Toledo Walleye
- Nailers Agree to Terms with Adam Ross - Wheeling Nailers
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